Boutique Chat

Viva Las Vegas! Before we attend one of the season’s biggest apparel markets, we are getting you ready to maximize your trip to Las Vegas. WWD Magic Brand Director, Kelly Helfman is breaking down everything you need to know from the shows all week, trend analysis of what’s coming for spring, and sharing insider business tips for boutiques. Kelly is a total mom meets fashionista and takes us inside of her career in fashion, after owning a retail store herself. Even if you aren’t going to Vegas, this podcast is full of takeaways and strategies you can use right now. For those of you headed to Vegas, just a heads up that we will be hosting TWO events this season, both on Tuesday, Aug 14th. #BOUTIQUEBOSS BREAKFAST: at WWINFeaturing 4 speakers + Roundtable business topics on buying, data, sales training and Social media engagement8:30 am - breakfast served!Click here to RSVP #BOUTIQUEBOSS COCKTAIL PARTY: at WWDMAGICFeaturing MAGIC Show Director Kelly Helfman, breaking down trend analysis for boutiques, and notes o

The Boutique Hub turns 5 years-old this month and to celebrate we’re asking Ashley, the founder, anything and everything from business tips, to how she built the Hub, and the dirty secrets about her obsession with tacos and Will Ferrell.  This is part 1 of a 2 part series, so come back next week for more! Our followers on social media and member’s in our groups submitted these questions, and Ashley shares the good, bad and ugly. Joining Ashley is Jessie Jarvis, Project Manager at The Boutique Hub, and she too isn’t holding back! For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders: www.theboutiquehub.com/join

We know, we’re a day late, but.. *que the bells and whistles* The Hub team was launching The 2018 Boutique Awards!! And holy cow, our boutique members rallied their customers. We’ve had 100,000+ votes in less than 24 hours. The timing couldn’t be better this week, then to have on the show the reining 2017 Global Boutique of the Year - The Lace Cactus, and founder Kelsey Darby of Hico, Texas. This episode is near and dear to our hearts. Kelsey Darby started as a 19 year old single mom, blew up the boutique world, and hit rock bottom. She went from The top of the world, to wanting to completely give up, selling nearly everything she had, to back again and winning The 2017 Global Boutique in the same year. She is a woman on a mission, and her authenticity speaks for itself. Get the tissues ready, girl. She is speaking to us all. More about the 2018 Boutique Awards here: http://tbhub.co/tba For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Vis

In a four-month span, Camey can work with up to 800+ vendors and travel across 6 states by hosting the boutique specific, Ruffles and Rust Expo. She’s seen the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly booths, marketing, and customer service. In this episode, she’s sharing the tips she’s learned along the way to help you step up your game at your next pop up or vendor event! For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashleyInstagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders:www.theboutiquehub.com/join

How can you maximize Facebook Live for your boutique AND successfully sell plus sizes? Mindy’s truthful, real personality shines in this episode like it does in her successful live videos. From markup strategy, Facebook algorithms, hiring a team, working with family, and organic growth, this episode is chalked full of golden nuggets that can change your business.   But more than that, we love how Mindy shares her story of being at the lowest point of her life before starting her business, and how you can build something great with the same mindset she did. For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders: www.theboutiquehub.com/join  

Let’s cut through the noise of those Google and YouTube searches and get down to 5 tips that will actually help you start your business off right. While the boutique industry is glamorous, we want you to be prepared for the not so glamorous  times too, so prepare yourself for some real talk. From buy-in groups, to hustle and being original, these top tips can’t be missed in your business!   For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders: www.theboutiquehub.com/join

How does someone get into manufacturing their own line? How can you stay creative and on top of the game?  And better yet, what denim trends are coming for fall? This week, we visit with Christina Choi, the Creative Director at Judy Blue denim, and daughter of Judy, to hear what it took to build a denim line that so many boutiques love today, and how those same boutiques can be prepared for trends in denim for the fall. For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders: www.theboutiquehub.com/join

This episode covers almost everything because our guest Ali Dee dabbles in a little bit of everything. From fashion influencers, Instagram, and working for Mark Cuban to attending market, the flooding of graphic tees, and dealing with copycats to customer service, pricing, and why brands and boutiques need to work together. Oh, and the fabulousness that is Reba McEntire. Get your pencil ready whether you’re a brand owner, boutique owner, service provider, or just a fan of Ali Dee. For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders: www.theboutiquehub.com/join

MaCandis Boutique was open for more than 67 years, where Sara Burks, Director of Partnerships & Education at The Boutique Hub, started working in high school. Skip forward a few years, with a Masters in Business Administration Sara Burks purchased and operated the store for 20+ years.   From managing your team, inventory and reporting key metrics, and mastering customer service, Sara is sharing with us her secrets to success. Plus, what retail and basketball have in common...and it’s pretty smart! Sign up for updates about our Digital Retail Bootcamp with Ashley and Sara! Click here. For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders: www.theboutiquehub.com/join

Creating your own clothing line isn’t for the faint of heart. BuddyLove founder Grayson DiFonzo has worked in fashion for years and even owned her own showroom repping other brands at Dallas Market Center before she ventured into designing. Developed out of a need to bring a unique taste to the boutique industry, she saw a need and filled it. It takes an eye for fashion, style, fit, and body types for a clothing line to be successful. As well as loyal retailers, copyright knowledge, and a grounded idea of what your customers want. For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders: www.theboutiquehub.com/join

Repeat after me, “I NEED to analyze data for my boutique.”  There is a huge difference today in tracking data and analyzing the right data. Today, without having access to the quality information a robust POS system provides, you are operating in the dark. Today, we are diving into the top 5 reports you need to analyze weekly in your business, helping you better analyze sales, categories, brands, inventory, customer patterns, team performance and more. In this episode, Ashley and Geoff, a man with 30 years of retail experience with well-known brands, break down what reports, what the data means, and why it matters so much. Get ready to take notes with LOADS of actionable takeaways this week! For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and ins

Matt and Amanda Kimes changed the face of denim in the western world in what seemed like an overnight success story. But it took years of work, finding a manufacturer that believed in them, a great team, and a relaunch. It was no easy task. Kimes Ranch was founded in 2009 and today has retailers in 10 countries, 64k Facebook followers, and on top of it all, their coworkers are their friends. In this episode, Ashley sits down with Amanda Kimes & Lindsay Perraton, Director of Marketing, to see how these two fashionable, boss women keep a traditionally “behind the times” genre of fashion on the cutting edge.  From Facebook Ad Strategies to working with influencers. Here how this company became an overnight success, 10 years in the making. For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retaile

It’s rare to hit $1 million in sales in your first year with a product you sewed at your kitchen table. Meredith Jurica did it and she continues to speed down the highway to success that few can get on. Hear how she built a magnetic brand that customers flock to, while she has simultaneously has kicked fear in the face to keep growing. Her passion, determination and faith in the future are palpable, and her mantra of charity, admirable. Get ready to meet a company you are going to want to follow along with for a long time! For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders: www.theboutiquehub.com/join

Holy cow, grab a pencil before you listen to this episode. Reza & Ashley break down the nitty gritty details of Facebook Ads, from conversion rates, sales funnels, and so much more. If you have an ecommerce store, you NEED to be retargeting. As Reza says in this podcast, not every visitor to your site will have a credit card in their hand the first time they visit. How will you maximize your ad spend? Not an e-commerce store? That’s ok, Facebook Ads are a crucial piece of your strategy too! Driving paid traffic to your content, your page, your email list, or to simply drive engagement keeps you top of mind, and keeps your customers knocking at your door.    For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders: www.theboutiquehub.com/j

Keith Mundee is an icon in the western apparel industry, not only for the brands he has helped to build but for the man that he is.  Once you meet Keith, you’ll have an instant connection and appreciation for his view of the apparel industry and how serving is the art of the deal in selling. In today’s episode, hear how Keith built some of the most recognized brands in western, his tips for retailers today, why projecting your personal money story on a potential customer is bad for business, and where our industry is headed.  Keith works alongside another well known, and appreciated icon in western, Keith Maddox, the owner of American Hat Company who also notes the importance of building a leadership team.  From his days at Cinch, Cruel Girl, and all Miller Brands, to his time in the Fireplace industry, Keith’s business background is one we all can learn from. For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/bou

Have you ever wondered how some wholesale brands seem to take off?  Is it the product? The terms? Or is it the team behind it all? Well, today we are answering your questions by saying, “All of the above” as we meet Chad Riggins, the owner of Texas True Threads, a lifestyle graphic tee brand based in Spearman, Texas.  Not only is Chad successful with Texas True, but with his embroidery company, The Sports Zone, and two retail boutiques. When you meet him, and their down to earth, genuine team, you’ll see how it has all come together so well.   For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders: www.theboutiquehub.com/join

The world of retail is ever changing, and on today’s show we dive into the top 10 mistakes both retailers and wholesale brands may making, and significantly holding them back from success. Are you making one of these?  In our first solo episode, Ashley is diving into how you can avoid these pitfalls, and providing you with key takeaways for you to grow your business. She’s even taking head on the epidemic of copyright concerns happening today and inviting YOU to be a part of the solution.   Which of these topics resonates most with you this week? Be sure to let Ashley know over on Instagram at @ajalderson.   For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders: www.theboutiquehub.com/join

From the beginning of social media, there were only a handful of ‘Facebook Boutiques’ that started, and went big right away. For southern women who loved both dressy and casual looks paired with a great pair of boots, one stood out from the start. Southern Fried Chics. This week, we meet Founder, Liz Ross, and talk about her journey to building a multi-million dollar e-commerce and brick and mortar boutique, as well as a wholesale line.  From overcoming addiction and a mortality moment, to growing her empire. Hear why Liz’s best advice is to grow Instagram NOW, and to never put all of your eggs into one basket. Plus, how you can take security measures to protect your business from hackers, and much, much more.   For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers,

What does it mean to sit down and create a strategic marketing plan for your business?  This week we are visiting with our friend Dru Stewart, marketing and branding expert who works with Cactus Ropes, Pro Equine Group and Hatco, and many more.  Not only will we cover marketing strategies working for the world’s largest brands in western, but uncover some critical questions like ‘Is print media dead?’  Make sure you stick around for the end, to hear Dru’s take on fatherhood and business. As a dad of twins, you’re going to like this takeaway.   For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubashley Instagram: @boutiquehubbusiness & @ajalderson Join our community of retailers, brands, influencers, service providers and insiders: www.theboutiquehub.com/join

Can you build a multi-million dollar business on social media alone? This week’s guests prove that when you build a tribe of loyal women, anything is possible.  Amanda Kruse is the Founder of Discount Divas, a booming e-commerce business who figured out how to harness the power of social selling through Facebook groups, but she had a secret to help her scale.  Her husband Brandon happened to be a talented startup founder who built a solution to a key problem Amanda, and numerous retailers have selling on social media. Enter Comment Sold. These two live and demonstrate the spirit of Community Over Competition, and have a pretty unique story to share about how Amanda’s business took off, on its own, and Brandon helped solve a roadblock to scale.  Then, began to share this method with others in the same space, selflessly.   For show notes & resources visit the episode webpage below or click here. Want more information on #BoutiqueChat? Visit www.theboutiquehub.com/boutiquechat *** Facebook: @boutiquehubash